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Colonial Point Memorial Forest and the Chaboiganing Nature PreserveA joint effort of:
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From the western shoreline of Burt Lake extends a peninsula of land commonly known as Colonial Point. The vast majority of this peninsula (over 450 acres) is now perpetually preserved in a natural condition thanks to a collaborative effort initiated by the local community. The west end of the property (about 175 acres) is protected as the Chaboiganing Nature Preserve, which is owned by the Little Traverse Conservancy. The east end includes over 291 acres owned by the University of Michigan Biological Station, and is now known as the Colonial Point Memorial Forest.
Today, the Biological Station uses the Colonial Point Memorial Forest for education and low impact ecological research. Both the Colonial Point Memorial Forest and the Chaboiganing Nature Preserve are open to the public for environmental education and outdoor recreation. Together these natural areas provide a diverse range of habitats varying from the open field in the heart of the Chaboiganing Nature Preserve to the old growth forest in the eastern region of the Colonial Point Memorial Forest.
There are trails winding through and connecting these natural areas that the public is encouraged to use for hiking or snowshoeing. Some of the trails on the Chaboiganing Preserve are too wet for normal foot traffic but are maintained for cross county skiing. The map shows the intricate trails on the Colonial Point Memorial Forest and the Chaboiganing Nature Preserve. There is a combined total of over 2½ miles of walking trails between these natural areas.
Camping and fires are prohibited on both the Colonial Point Memorial Forest and the Chaboiganing Nature Preserve. Hunting and snowmobiling are prohibited at Chaboiganing Nature Preserve, but permitted on the Colonial Point Memorial Forest property.
This brochure and the trail markers at the Colonial Point Memorial Forest and Chaboiganing Nature Preserve were made possible by a financial contribution from the Thomas R. Trumble Family in memory of Melvin and Josephine Trumble and Melvin Trumble II.
The University of Michigan Biological Station occupies a 10,000-acre tract along Burt and Douglas Lakes. During its 90-year history, hundreds of scientists have carried on research and over 2,500 scientific publications have appeared in the literatured based on work centered there. Approximately 8,000 students have received advanced training in field biology at this unique resource.
University of Michigan Biological Station
9008 Biological Road
Pellston, MI 49769
(231)539-8407
www.umich.edu/~umbs/